Archaeology excavation is best known and most commonly used within the science of archaeology. In this sense it is the exposure, processing and recording of archaeological remains.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Experts To Help Trace The Route Of The Planned Bicycle Dakota County To Protect Old Cemeteries

Dakota County is part of careful planning to build a 27 km bike path in Spring Lake Park Reserve near an ancient Indian burial mounds Americans, but before you check in the exact path, the archaeologist was to help identify the criteria, so they are not disturbed.

Mississippi River Regional Trail will include a six mile stretch near the burial mounds believed to be between 1,300 and 1,700 years was discovered in 1950, reported the St. Paul Pioneer Wednesday.

"We appreciate the resources," said Bruce Blair, director of facilities development for Dakota County. "Culturally, they are invaluable. They are very precious. We do not want to do something that could increase the possibility of their deterioration. "

The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council oversees about 1,000 burial mounds throughout the state. Its cultural director, Jim Jones Jr., said the road should avoid slopes and to highlight the artifacts. The Office of the State of the State Archaeologist will help the county identify the boundaries of the mounds.

Parts of the trail already exists. Segment near the mounds of work should begin in 2013, which was inaugurated in 2015. Federal grants and local funds to pay for an estimated cost of $ 4000000 of the path.

The park is designed for its archaeological importance as far back as 1000 BC, said Ed Fleming, curator of archeology at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Hills of Spring Lake Park Reserve is not very clear today, Blair said. A mound is 200 feet long. But small slopes are overgrown with grass meadows and other foliage. To reach them, it's a way to walk 45 minutes to one, no trails leading to them.

"They are very subtle," said Blair. "They are almost flat. However, they are real. "

PHOTO: In this film November 22, 2011, the Dakota County Bruce Blair ease of development is one of the strains on the eastern shore of Lake Spring Nininger Township near Hastings, Minnesota area will be included along the park 27 mile Spring Lake Preserve trail, which is scheduled for completion in 2015. Dakota County plans to build part of a 27-mile bike trail at Spring Lake Park Reserve near the ancient American Indian mounds, but before it settles on a specific route, state aid archaeologist identify the reason to make sure they are not disturbed. (AP Photo / The St. Paul Pioneer Press, Richard Marshall) Minneapolis Star Tribune OUT

This November 22, 2011, Dakota County to develop the plant manager Bruce Blair is at the heart of strains on the eastern shore of Spring Lake in Nininger Township near Hastings, Minnesota area will include 27 km along the Spring Lake Park Preserve track, which is scheduled for 2015. Dakota County is planning to build 27 km of cycle track in Spring Lake Park Reserve ancient American Indian burial mounds nearby cemetery, but before you check in the exact path, the archaeologist was to help identify the criteria, so they are not disturbed. (AP Photo / St. Paul Pioneer Press, Richard Marshall), the Minneapolis Star Tribune, OUT

The mounds are located on the south side of Spring Lake.

There are over 12,000 registered American Indian mounds throughout Minnesota, said state archaeologist Scott Anfinson. It locates and sets limits for the burial mounds and cemeteries belonging to unregistered settlers.

The construction of mounds in the state began in 500 BC, Anfinson said. Aboriginal groups in the region have followed the practice of mound building until about 1500.

The two known burial mounds Spring Lake Park Reserve, called Bremer Mounds, was first discovered and partially excavated in the 1950s by the Science Museum of Minnesota, said Fleming.

Remains of at least 15 bodies were taken to the museum, Fleming said. The remains are now being studied and recorded at Hamline University, Fleming said. Officials will try to repatriate the remains of the return to tribal groups they belong when the work is completed.

But it may be difficult to determine who.

Years ago, people inhabiting the region had different tribal affiliations that American Indian tribes today, but scientists say they were the ancestors of modern tribes, Fleming said. Stay on the Mounds Bremer can be inherited or culturally affiliated Dakota and Ho-Chunk Nation.